Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism and Physical Disabilities

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Physical disabilities affecting students can take many different forms. They can be temporary or permanent, fluctuating, stable or degenerative, and may affect parts of the body or the whole of it. Some students with physical disabilities, neurological conditions or acquired brain injury may have perceptual difficulties. Students may have experienced barriers to learning that relate to negative perceptions of their disability and low expectations. They may also have missed out on vital stages of learning during their schooling, affecting language acquisition and the development of literacy.

Teaching strategies associated with Physical Disabilities

These strategies are suggestions for inclusive teaching. This list should not be considered exhaustive and it is important to remember that all students are individuals and good practice for one student may not necessarily be good practice for another. You may also like to contact the Disability Specialist in your institution for further information. If you have any good practice that you would like to add to this list, please email your suggestions to z.morton-jones@worc.ac.uk

Provide sufficient time to discuss needs with the student before/during their initial teaching session.

Allow sufficient time on the timetable for students to move between teaching venues.

Check that teaching rooms are accessible in advance - check that seating arrangements and routes into the room allow access for wheelchair users. Check for heavy doors and kerbs. How much of the journey is outside buildings? Will extra time be needed if it rains?

Check the need for equipment and special reserved space in the room or near the room. Will a particular form of seating be required?

Consider the time that will be needed for completing assignments - include research time. Can work be dictated onto tape or an oral presentation be given?

Think about examination arrangements - will the student require extra time or an amanuensis? This should be agreed well in advance of the date of the examination.

How will fieldwork/teaching practice/laboratory work be carried out? Will the student need the help of an assistant?